From Friuli to Thornbury: When we talk about Italy, we usually think of cities like Rome, Venice or Florence. But there is a beautiful and culturally rich region of Italy – Friuli-Venezia Giulia. This region is known not only for its ancient heritage, language and cuisine, but also for the thousands of Italian migrants who left for overseas in search of a better life – and many of them made their new home in Thornbury, Australia.
Today, there is an organisation in Thornbury that not only preserves the memories of these migrants, but also keeps their identity, culture and struggles alive – the Furlan Club.
Migration background: Why did you leave Friuli?
After World War II, the political, social and economic situation in Italy became extremely complex. Particularly in border regions like Friuli, employment was scarce, living conditions were difficult and people were devastated by the war.
Thousands of young people and families began to look for better opportunities abroad. Australia opened its doors to skilled workers and hardworking migrants in those days. This is where the historic journey from Friuli to Thornbury began.
Thornbury: A new destination, but connected to its soil
The Melbourne suburb of Thornbury gave migrants from Italy a place where they could not only find employment, but also gradually build a whole community. But the experience of migration was not just economic it was also emotional, cultural and social.
New land, new language, different atmosphere but the fragrance of the soil of Friuli was still alive in the heart.
The Foundation of the Farlan Club: A Cultural Home
In the 1960s, some prominent Friuli immigrants got together and thought that Thornbury should have a place that would serve as a cultural hub for the community. This idea gradually led to the foundation of the “Farlan Club”.
The club was not limited to community gathering, but it was a medium to keep alive the culture, language, traditions, food and social values of Friuli. Today, the club is alive with the spirit of the immigrants who built it with their blood and sweat.
Food and Traditions: A glimpse of Friuli in Australia
The Farlan Club still serves traditional Italian cuisine — polenta, prosciutto, Montazio cheese, and local wines. It’s not just the taste of the food, it’s the nostalgia — the taste that reminds of childhood home.
At festivals, family gatherings and cultural events, people dance to Friuli folk tunes, wear traditional costumes and try to connect the new generation to their roots.
Generations of migrants: from struggle to respect
The first migrants from Friuli brought a lot with them – experiences, values, hardships and a dream. They worked hard in construction, factories, farming and hospitality – contributing significantly to the development of Thornbury.
The second and third generations have made their mark in education, business and politics, but never lost touch with their roots. The Farlan Club is proof of this – a reminder that identity is never forgotten, it just deepens with time.
A legacy in stories: sharing memories
The Farlan Club has a special tradition – the sharing of migration stories by elders. How they left their villages, what struggles they faced, how they worked day and night to build a future for their children in Melbourne.
These individual experiences gave birth to a collective history — it is not just the story of a community, but an example of human will to live.
It is not just a building of bricks and stones, it is a building of emotions
The Farlan Club is not an ordinary club — it is a building made of walls of emotions. It is a symbol of the spirit that built a home in search of belonging thousands of miles away. It is an example of the passion that says — “Wherever we live, we will not leave our roots.”
Today the Farlan Club is not just a history lesson for the new generations, but also a bridge of cultural inheritance.
Role in the modern era: A confluence of tradition and technology
Now that the world is digitally connected, the Farlan Club has also kept pace with the times. Social media, online events, digital archives — everything has become possible through this club.
At the same time, the club has now become a platform for inter-cultural dialogue – where not only Farlan but also other communities are invited. This inclusiveness is its strength.
Conclusion:
The journey from Friuli to Thornbury was not just a geographical change – it was a cultural and human movement. It is a story in which the search for belonging, the heat of struggle and the hope for the future go hand in hand.
The Farlan Club is a monument to that migration journey – in which every wall, every photo, every memory is a testimony that no matter where the roots are, the heart remains where your culture breathes.